Arizona’s 2024 free-agent splash largely missed, with only Mack Wilson and Evan Brown delivering solid season-long value. Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson and Josh Sweat carried big-name expectations but battled injuries and underperformance. Bilal Nichols, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Zay Jones faced hurdles, while DeeJay Dallas exited after preseason. The Cardinals’ 2025 outlook hinges on health, depth and better returns from this year’s additions.

Two breakout contributors stand out: Wilson anchored the middle and Brown logged season-long consistency at left guard, earning new deals. The club now pivots toward stability and health, banking on a deeper roster and clearer roles as it rebuilds around a healthier core and smarter FA picks.

Kyzir White heads into free agency with a potential landing in Indianapolis after the Cardinals reshaped their linebacker corps. The Colts hosted White on a visit, aiming to add a veteran presence behind Franklin and Bachie as Arizona replaced him with Davis-Gaither and Simon to boost run defense and coverage. If signed, White could anchor Indy’s second level while the Cardinals lean on younger pieces in a retooled scheme.

With 53-man cuts looming, White’s landing would reinvigorate Colts IDP outlooks and shift Cardinals expectations on a defense that’s betting on depth and leadership to drive 2025. The chess match between veteran presence and youth will shape how both teams approach the rest of the offseason.

Arizona Cardinals starters sit for the preseason finale with Las Vegas, mirroring last week’s plan. The offense will be led by the second unit, with Jacoby Brissett handling two possessions versus Denver last week and Clayton Tune in contention to play the full game. On defense, Will Johnson and Akeem Davis-Gaither are the notable early-rotations, each seeing snaps last weekend and likely continuing in a limited role. The setup signals a fantasy focus on depth pieces who could step into bigger roles if Week 1 injuries or defensive rotations shift the script.

From a fantasy lens, Tune and Brissett carry deeper-league intrigue as two-quarterback or superflex options should they see meaningful snaps. Johnson and Davis-Gaither offer independent- or dynasty-leaning IDP upside if they lock in rotational duties. Raiders depth could yield late-slate DFS plays, but the cardinal rule remains: rostering Cardinals’ backups hinges on extended playing time and game plan carryover from the Broncos game.

Gannon’s mantra—hay is never in the barn until kickoff—highlights how every rep matters in situational prep. Even with starters sidelined, the week’s walkthroughs and mental prep shape who’s on the field. This final tune-up is a clear look at the Cardinals’ depth chart, with the Broncos game serving as a rough blueprint for how reserve roles might unfold against Las Vegas.

The Cardinals are tightening their linebacker group as the preseason winds down. Nick Rallis sees Zaven Collins expanding his pass-rush toolkit and thriving as an edge in multiple packages, potentially lifting his IDP ceiling. Denver-sized rookie Jordan Burch is drawing attention for his explosive edge presence, while Mack Wilson slides into middle linebacker with smart, versatile usage. Akeem Davis-Gaither has picked up the new scheme quickly, offering veteran savvy that helps the unit stay balanced. The staffes expect a fluid alignment with Collins, Wilson and Davis-Gaither providing the backbone for a faster, smarter defense.

Collins’ continued development as a complete defender could translate into more quarterback pressure, with Sweat and Browning commanding attention along the front. Burch’s size and violent edge play give Arizona a controllable edge presence that can disrupt runs and misdirections. Inside, Wilson and Davis-Gaither form a flexible pairing that allows Rallis to mix coverages and alignments, keeping offenses guessing. The emphasis is on speed, scheme mastery and consistent leverage—factors that could unlock a more dynamic Cardinals defense as the season nears.

The takeaway for fantasy managers is simple: watch the snap counts and the matchup-driven roles. If Collins maintains edge success, Wilson stays productive in the middle, and Davis-Gaither continues to impress in the install, Arizona’s linebackers could push into weekly streaming or even higher-ceiling territory in favorable games. Rotations will matter, but the talent and versatility are there for bigger impact in 2025.